THE LICENSING LAW.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10513, 30 December 1911, Page 6

THE LICENSING LAW.

AIS T INTERESTING CA"SE. ; An interesting test case of alleged | interference with voters at the recent i licensing and prohibition polls was j heard at Auckland last week bv \lr ! E. C. Outten, S.M., in the Police! Court,, when Win. Buck, Wm. Smith, Francis Mary Byre, Wm. Vaus", James King, and Clifford Llewellyn were all charged with interfering witu voters on December 7, with a view to ' influencing their votes. Mr W. P. E'>dean represented all tho laccussed, and pleaded that there was no foundation for the prosecution. Ho stated that a number of persons were outside the Ponsonby polling booth, .in the interests of the Liberty League, and each tad cards with "strike out the bottom iline." When an elector came to tho •booth, the various members of the League would look on the roll, and write tlhe elector's number on the back of one of theso cards. Section 157 of tllio Legislature Act, eaid Air Endean, applied only to the election of members from start to finish, and as the charges referred to tho licensing election alone, they could not bo charged under this Act. With regard to the Licensing Act-, Section 34 distinctly kid that an irregularity nail to be enquired into by court of inquiry, who'(reported to tho Minister, who ordered >a prosecution, and the Minister's consent would Suave .to be obtained -to institute proceedings. Llewellyn admitted distributing cards, I and evidence was taken as a. test case Sub-Inspector Hendrey stated tlliab he Iliad laid the informations under the seotions quoted by Mr Endean. There was no doubt thlat people had been >v terfered with. It "was not suggested for la moment that any attempt had been made to influence electors by word of mouth, or that tho influence had anything to do with the election of M.P.'s. At the same time, seeing tlhe way public opinion is at present, it would bo a dangerous thing if such actions were allowed to pass unchecked,' as if one side were allowed to adopt audi tactics,' then the other side would also expect) to bo allowed to adopt them. His 'Worship, in giving judgment, said tHie defendant was charged witth interfering with a voter on iher way to record ilier. vote. The case was a*matter of considerable irn portance. It was quite clear tlivit this action was intend -.1 to be an offence, but as trie provisions of the. Act 'were by no means clear on the point the clase would be dismissed. He expressed the 'hope tha,t t(he police would appeal and obtain "the opinion of the Supreme 1 Court. All tflio other cases would be adjourned, pending the' result of- the appeal. Sub-Inspector Hendrey intimated that an appeal was highly probable.